Toy building-blocks.



F. M. BURROWES.

TOY BUILDING BLOCKS.

PyLIoATIoN FILED m11. '1, 1911.

Edd?- Wbt Patented Nov.21, 1911.

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' TOY BUILDING-BLOCKS.

Bpeoication o f Letters atent. Patented Nov, 21, 1911,

Application led March 7,' 1911.

Serial No. 612,829.

State of Maine, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in. Toy Building- Blocks, ofwhich the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

` This invention relates to improvements in toy building blocks and has for its primary object the provision of a plurality of blocks 'adapted to interfit one with anotherand to prevent relative movement -of the adj-acent blocks in any direction laterally of the blocks 4when assembled. Heretofore in this art,

building blocks have been. provided with complementary tongue and groove portions adapted to coperate to prevent relative movement of. adjacent blocks transversely of the tongue and groove, but no provision was made to prevent relative movement lengthwise of the tongue and groove.l With this in mind, the present invention embodies as a salient characteristic, means enabling the `utilization of the tongue and groove idea,

while at the samel timel operating to prevent said longitudinal displacement of the assemibled blocks. The advantages of this advanced step in theartwill be readily\appa rent, but it may be here noted thatthe 1mprovements will be helpful ina great measure, inproducing structural 'formations from the blocks, by reason of the fact that when a block is placed in position in a predetermined cooperation with adjoining blocks, the same will be positively maintained against displacement, save by an intentional lifting or removing operatlon.

Tov the ends stated, a convenient embodiment of the invention comprises superposed blocks, the abutting surfaces of which .are formed with a coperating tongue and groove, and the tongued and grooved portions being also formed to interlock to prevent relative movement of the blocks longitudinally ofthe tongue. Conveniently, the latter is accomplished by recessing the tongue and providing a dowel or projection in the-'groove adapted to fit said recess, the same idea being carried forward in such instancesas where longitudinal and transverse ooves are formed in a block by positionlng the projection or dowcl at the point of intersection of said grooves, whereby the blocks may be arranged either in parallel or in angular relation and inleither'position efectually secured against any relative lateral or horizontal play or disarrangement.

The .details in the construction and arrangement of parts will be clear from the specific description hereinafter contained,

when read in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part hereof and wherein, 'for the sake of illustration, I have illust-rated the preferred embodiment of the invention, but in this connection it will be understood-by those skilled in the art that the invention is capable of embodiment in other forms and devices.

vIn the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of one of the blocks, Fig. 2 is a similar view of the block in another osition, Fig. 3 is a face view of a pair ofp the blocks in superposed relation, Fig. 4 is a similar view of three of the blocks in overlapped or staggered relation, Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view through Fig. 4, Fig. 6 is an elevation of two of the blocks arranged to form a corner, that is, with the blocks at right angles to, each other, Fig. 7 is a horizontal section through Fig. l on line :1J-; and Fig. 8 is a sectional view `of the construction shown in Fig. 6. 4 v Referring more specifically to the drawlngs, wherein like reference characters designate coresponding features in the several views, A represents the body of the block conveniently of oblong formation in simultation of a brick, the opposite faces and ends of which are plain, as shown. On the top B of the block, I provide a centrally arranged longitudinal rib or tongue, the tongue in turn being cut away or recessedl as at D near the opposite ends of the block,

for a purpose as will presently appear.

The bottom@ of the block is formed with i 'mately twice its width and the recesses D and dowels or projections H are arranged at points away from the ends of the block a distance approximately equal to one.

fourth of the length, of the block, so that superposed blocksV may be arranged in true parallel relation to form a flat Wall or in right angular relation to form a corner, as obvious. When the blocks are assembled, it is clear that the intertting tongues C and grooves F will insure proper seating of the upper block upon the lower and prevent relative movement transversely of the block, while the interfitting of the projections H with the recesses D will also prevent relative longitudinal or endwise movement of said blocks, the arrangement of theseV last mentioned elements accomplishing the results stated, whether the blocks are parallel or in angular relation. j

As a satisfactory practical proposition, the projections or doWels H are 'constituted by recessing the base of the groove F and the insertion of close fitting projecting plugs therein secured by frictional engagement or glued, if desired, the lower ends of the projecting portions of the blocks terminating within the plane of the bottom E of the block. l

I claim:

l. A block of the character described provided on one surface with a tongue and on its opposite surface with a groove, the tongue being recessed at a point intermediate of its ends, and a projection being provided in the groove, substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. A block of the character described pro. vided on one surface With a tongue and on its` opposite surface with intersecting groove portions, `the tongue being recessed at a point intermediate of its ends, and a projection being provided at the point of intersection ofthe grooves, substantially as and for the purpose described.

3. A block of the character described provided on one surface witha tongue and on its opposite surface with a groove, the tongue being recessed at separated points and similarly separated .projections being provided the groove, substantially as and v for the purpose described.

4. A block'of the character its opposite surface with intersectin grooved portions, the tongue being recesse at separated points and.similarly separated projections being provided in the grooved portions, one of said projections being at the point of intersection of the grooves, substantially as and for the'purpose described.

5. A block of the character described provided on one surface with a tongue vand on described pro- Y vided on one'surface with a tongue and onY stantially as and for the purpose described.

7. A set of building blocks of the character described provided with interfitting tongue and groove portions at their meeting edges, the grooved portions also having in tersecting grooves and projections arranged at the points of intersection of the grooves, and the tongue portions being recessed to receive said projections, substantially as and for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

FRANK M. BURROWES. Witnesses:

LEONARD G. WEYMOUTH, ERNEST E. GOWELL. 

